Plug into This Bass Head for Authentic Vintage Ampeg Tube Sound!

The Ampeg SVT-CL bass amplifier head is where you go for a truly vintage, classic bass tone. Power it on, give the tubes a moment to warm up, and you'll hear the sound you've heard on countless recordings and radio hits. The SVT-CL owes this legendary tone to its all-tube complement, featuring 11 tubes in all! The controls are straightforward and no nonsense. This baby is built for one thing: crafting a great bass sound.

300 Watts of All-Tube Awe

The mighty 300-watt output of the Ampeg SVT-CL comes from the six 6550 power tubes. This drives the sweet, sweet tone generated by the 2 x 12AX7s in the preamp section, and the 2 x 12AU7s and 1 x 12AX7 in the driver section.

3-Band EQ and Ultra Hi/Lo Boost

The front control panel gives you a Normal and a -15 dB input jack for this single-channel amp. Here you'll also find the Ultra Hi/Lo boost switch, along with Bass, Midrange, and Treble EQ knobs. A Standby switch at far right lets you cut the signal momentarily when needed. This amp is not about bells and whistles -- it's about consistently great sound.

Output Options

Via the rear panel, you'll be able to adjust the SVT-CL's Biasing controls, and select 2-ohm or 4-ohm output. You've also got a Preamp Out/Power Amp In and a Slave output here. The latter allows you to push the front end on another amp, or run direct into a PA or mixer. A single balanced XLR output is here as well. A Ground Lift switch helps you cut buzz if it arises.

Ampeg SVT-CL Classic Bass Amp Head

Other companies keep trying to recreate the classic all-tube sound of the '60s and '70s Ampeg heads, but it's just not the same as the real deal. Ampeg is the only bass amp company that can make that claim. When you specify a Classic Series SVT head, it's not like an Ampeg -- it is an Ampeg.

The Classic Series heads are designed for players who are looking for the authentic, vintage Ampeg tube sound that has earned the respect of the industry. For the ultimate experience, it's the SVT-CL -- the Classic, as it's known in the business. There is no equivalent to its 300-watt output courtesy of six 6550 power tubes.

This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
"Classic Tone In A Classic Package"

Sound:
The SVT has something that a SS bass amp will never have. The true sound of big tube power. That means great warm fat tone, rich with even order harmonics. When pushed the all tube front end will give you the sound that you have heard over and over again on recordings and live performances. A big sound with bite thats never sounds harsh and gets just the right amount of grit when you dig in with the pick or your fingers and the guitar volume full on. Back off your attack or roll back the volume and it cleans right up.
Feature:
You don't get a lot of fancy stuff like compressors or limiters. What you do get is the famous Ampeg bass tone stack that other makers have tried to copy. Two inputs (one padded) bass, mids (selectable freq), treble with ultra high and low boost switches. An effects loop would be nice but I think once you play through one of these SVT heads you won't want or need effects. The sound is just that good.
Ease of Use:
The SVT will fight you every step of the way at first while you fuss with the gain and master volume. Forget the useless (for me) ultra low and hi switches. I set it pretty much flat and get the gain where where I like it, tweak the tone settings and fiddle with the gain again and then I set it where it breaks up a little and roll up the master.
It will take some time to dial it in.... but when you do, it's a great sound that never overpowers and sits in the mix just right. You get the sense that its there and you don't have to worry about it. You just have fun and play.
Quality:
It's an Ampeg! This ones still made in the USA. Built like a tank and weighs almost as much (85 lbs). Every part of the amp looks like it's made from the best that could be had for what it needs to do. The STV over the years has a proven track record on the road and on stages all over the world. Provided parts are available, the thing could be used forever. No backup amp need although keep a backup set of tubes. Just in case.
Value:
The SVT is at the top end of the price scale for a 300 watt amp. However we are talking about a tube amp here.
Manufacturer Support:
Unsure never had to call. Ampeg is now owned by Loud Tech. so support still remains to be seen as far as Loud goes.
The Wow Factor:
Excuse Me! This is an SVT! Who doesn't want one.
Overall:
I will keep it forever. Its "the" bass sound. Great classic tone for rock or blues.

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"If you can affored it get it."

Sound:
This is the thing that has defined my playing. the sonic quality is unbelievible. I have played many other rigs in my time but nothing has compaired to the SVT. things have come close but they always end up leaving a little to be desired. the only thing I can think might be better is the aquilar 680 and you still need a power amp with that and it costs just as much.
Feature:
everything a tube head should have and more.
Quality:
This thing is reliable. hasnt failed me in the 5 years I have owned it.
Value:
for the money you cant get a better deal. as I said before aguilar might be better but you have to pay %250 more to get what this amp does.
Manufacturer Support:
Havent had a problem yet but with other things ampeg has been great.
The Wow Factor:
come on its ampeg and its a classic.
Overall:
VERY satisfied with this. Been playing with it for years and it just keeps on pumping out the gloryious tube tone that is unatainable but solidstate anything.

Items You Recently Viewed

Our extended 45-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee applies on
this productBuy it, and if it isn't just right for you, return it!

What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "I've enjoyed years of great service from zZounds, my online dealer for any of my guitar and guitar related products. zZounds has proven their professionalism time and time again, and will continue to be the online dealer of choice for me." - Customer on May 16, 2015

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

1. zZounds offers the industry‘s most musician-friendly payment plans

zZounds offers a variety of Play as You Pay installment plans that allow you to get the gear you want today. While our competitors might offer house credit cards that require you to fill out an application and pass a credit check, our payment plans are easy to get, simple to use, and, best of all, accrue zero interest. Unlike those house credit cards that can leave you vulnerable to exorbitant interest charges once the promotional period ends, we never have and never will charge interest when you take advantage of one of the zZounds Play as You Pay plans.

2. zZounds guarantees the lowest price

Seen it for less somewhere else? Get it for less at zZounds. Simply click the “Seen it for less?” link on any product page and as long as we‘re not losing money, we‘ll beat any legitimate competitor‘s lowest price, usually within two hours. Want our best price even faster? Call us at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637), and we‘ll provide you with a lower price on the phone. Also, if you purchase from us and later find the product for less elsewhere, call or email us within 45 days, and we‘ll refund you the difference.

3. zZounds gets you your gear fast

At zZounds, you‘ll get your gear fast and, usually, with free delivery. Because we have warehouses in New Jersey, Nevada and Mississippi, nearly 95 percent of Americans reside within our two-day shipping zones. Combine this with the fact that many of our best-selling products qualify for free two-day delivery and you get expedited shipping without the additional cost.

4. zZounds makes returns super easy

Buy it, try it, like it, or return it to us for a full refund. It‘s just that simple. If you‘re not in love with what you bought, return it to zZounds within 45 days, and we‘ll promptly arrange for an exchange or a refund. No hassles. No hidden charges. And if a product‘s defective or damaged, call us at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637), and we‘ll email you a prepaid shipping label so you can easily return it to us at zero cost to you.

5. zZounds delivers top-rated customer service

zZounds has received multiple Bizrate® Circle of Excellence Platinum awards, placing us in the top 0.7 percent of Bizrate‘s network of 5,200 retailers. Our success in meeting the needs of our customers -- since 1996, we‘ve satisfied over 1,000,000 people -- is due in large part to the fact that zZounds only hires experienced musicians to answer your calls and emails, and they are never paid a commission.